לֵחַ
𐤋𐤇
lêach
H3893 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Vitality, vigor, or freshness, particularly as an inner physical strength and resilience. Refers to the innate strength or sustaining force of a person, especially in old age, as in the capacity to continue life or retain youthful potency. Most notably used of Moses, whose 'natural force' did not diminish with age (Deut 34:7). The term may draw upon vegetal metaphors of freshness or moistness as a symbol for vitality.
Semantic Range
vigor, freshness, vital force, physical vitality, sustaining inner strength, life-sap
Root / Etymology
From the root לח (lamed-chet), the core meaning of which is 'to be moist, fresh.' The word לֵחַ is a noun form expressing a state or quality derived from this root, transferring the physical sense of moisture (indicative of freshness and health in plants) to human vitality and sustaining inner force.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible (Deuteronomy 34:7), לֵחַ refers specifically to Moses' undiminished strength at the time of his death. The underlying vegetal metaphor (moistness/freshness) is common in biblical Hebrew, where physical freshness—particularly in plants—is associated with vigor, life, and strength. In English translations, 'natural force' is used but can be too vague or miss the more concrete imagery of physical vitality or 'life-sap.' Other Hebrew words such as כֹּחַ (koach, 'strength, power') are broader, whereas לֵחַ emphasizes inner, sustaining freshness. In later Hebrew, the root continues to mean 'moist, fresh,' supporting the interpretation. No direct connection to later religious identity terms; the term is grounded in physical and metaphorical description appropriate to ancient Israelite literary context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as לַח; freshness, i.e. vigor; natural force.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
לח (l-ḥ) — to be moist, to be fresh
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3893-01 |
לֵחֹֽ/ה | lechoh | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his-vigor | his vital freshness | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3893-01 |
Deuteronomy 34:7 | לֵחֹֽ/ה | lechoh | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his-vigor | his vital freshness |